Editor’s notice: Right now is International Accessibility Consciousness Day, and we’ll be sharing assets and instruments for schooling, in addition to accessibility options and updates for Android and Google Maps. Think about planning to go someplace new, taking the journey to get there and arriving— solely to be caught exterior, prevented from sitting with household or being unable to entry the restroom. It’s a deeply irritating expertise I’ve had many instances since changing into a wheelchair person in 2009. And it’s an expertise all too acquainted to the 130 million wheelchair customers worldwide and the greater than 30 million People who’ve issue utilizing stairs.So think about as a substitute having the ability to “know earlier than you go” whether or not a vacation spot is wheelchair accessible, simply as effortlessly as trying up the handle. In recognition of International Accessibility Consciousness Day, we’re asserting a brand new Google Maps function that does simply that.Individuals can now activate an “Accessible Locations” function to have wheelchair accessibility info extra prominently displayed in Google Maps. When Accessible Locations is switched on, a wheelchair icon will point out an accessible entrance and also you’ll be capable of see if a spot has accessible seating, restrooms or parking. If it’s confirmed that a spot doesn’t have an accessible entrance, we’ll present that info on Maps as properly.

Higher maps for everybody, whether or not you stroll or rollToday, Google Maps has wheelchair accessibility info for greater than 15 million locations around the globe. That quantity has greater than doubled since 2017 due to the dedication of greater than 120 million Native Guides and others who’ve responded to our name to share accessibility info. In whole, this neighborhood has contributed greater than 500 million wheelchair accessibility updates to Google Maps. Retailer homeowners have additionally helped, utilizing Google My Enterprise so as to add accessibility info for his or her enterprise profiles to assist customers needing stair-free entry discover them on Google Maps and Search.With this function “rollout”, it’s simpler to seek out and contribute wheelchair accessibility info to Google Maps. That advantages everybody, from these of us utilizing wheelchairs and fogeys pushing strollers to older adults with drained legs and other people hauling heavy objects. And on this time of COVID-19, it’s particularly vital to know earlier than you go so that you just gained’t be stranded exterior that pharmacy, grocery or restaurant.

Anybody can contribute accessibility info to Google Maps

To get wheelchair accessibility info extra prominently displayed in Google Maps, replace your app to the newest model, go to Settings, choose “Accessibility,” and activate “Accessible Locations.” The function is on the market on each Android and iOS. We’re additionally rolling out an replace that permits folks utilizing iOS gadgets to extra simply contribute accessibility info, becoming a member of the thousands and thousands of Android customers who’ve been sharing the sort of info on Maps. This information has suggestions for score accessibility, in case you’re undecided what counts as being “accessible.” We invite everybody to change on Accessible Locations and contribute accessibility info to assist folks in your neighborhood.A Maps milestone, constructed on a movementThis launch is a milestone in our journey to construct a greater, extra useful map for everybody, which incorporates latest efforts to assist folks discover accessible locations, transit routes and strolling instructions. Our work wouldn’t be attainable with out the many years of advocacy from those that have fought for equal entry for folks with disabilities. Had been it not for them, there could be far fewer accessible locations for Google Maps to point out.The Accessible Locations function is beginning to rollout for Google Maps customers in Australia, Japan, the UK and the USA, with assist for added nations on the best way.

Use the Accessible Locations function to see accessibility info extra prominently displayed in Google Maps